Finger chute for straps



y 196.8 G. H. GEISINGER 3,394,950

FINGER CHUTE FOR STRAPS Filed June 6. 1967 FIG. 2

I HI I 53 r (a m N O;

NVENTOR I G. H. GElS/NGER ATTORNEY United States Patent ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a finger chute to be readily secured to the users finger, and to enable straps for tying objects such as bundles of wires in assembly and installation operations to be positioned therein and thereby enable the accurate and efficient application of the strap around the objects and secured in closed position.

This invention relates to a device to facilitate positioning of elongated straps under and around objects to be secured together and for positioning the free ends of the straps through head portions thereof. The invention is especially useful in connection with the securing of straps to objects which are elongated-for example, groups of wires on aircraft, electrical equipment and other applications and installations. The device includes an adjustable ring portion adapted to be secured to the users finger. A formed chute having an L-shaped bracket portion, is secured, at one end, to the ring portion and extends therefrom, to receive and position the objects thereon. The invention thus enables the user, without special skill or dexterity, to readily position an elongated strap under and around the objects to be secured together, and to tie the strap thereabout; the chute may then be moved to another positionfor example, where the wires or other objects to be secured together are elongated, the straps being thus secured thereto at spaced points or stations. The chute is so designed as to allow entry and passage therein of the strap in encompassing relation to the objects, and to place the free end of the strap in position for simplified, accurate and convenient engagement with the opposite end of the strap. The bracket portion is adjustably secured to the chute portion for relative adjustment of the parts, thus enhancing ease of use and operation.

The construction of this invention may be positioned by the operator at precisely the desired point, the strap being slid under, up and around the objects to be secured together, in encompassing relation. The chute is so formed as to assure smooth operation and facilitate movement of the strap.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of guide means in the chute so that the strap may be positioned in the chute and under the objects and automatically aligned and guided by the chute around, up and in closing relation to the objects.

The drawings, illustrating procedures and devices useful in carrying out the invention, and the description below, are exemplary only of the invention, which shall be deemed to cover all other devices and procedures coming within the scope and purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters indicate like parts:

FIG. 1 is an end elevational view of a finger chute embodying the invention, taken at line 11 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, taken at line 22 of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, showing the position of the finger chute embodying the invention, on the users finger, with the bracket extending therefrom and the strap thus in the process of being passed under and around a plurality of objects.

3,394,960 Patented July 30, 1968 As shown in the drawings, the finger chute 10 of this invention comprises an adjustable ring portion 11, preferably of C-shaped outline, defining a generally circular portion 12, with a flat terminal portion 13 spaced from the opposite end 14 of the ring portion 11, with an opening 15 therebetween allowing flexing of ring portion 12 to accommodate itself to dimensions of the users finger and movement thereof in use.

Pursuant to the invention, an L-shaped bracket portion 20 is secured as, for example, by extended end 21 thereof, to the ring portion 11 and is adapted to be readily rnanipulated by the users finger to receive and cradle thereon the plurality of objects 22 to which a strap or straps 23 are to be applied. The finger chute 10 of the invention serves the important function of juxtaposing the objects 22 conveniently for manipulation or handling by the user and for the insertion of the strap 23 under, up, around, and finally tying the strap to the objects 22 in a simple, registered and convenient procedure. The drawings exemplify a mode of tying the strap around objects 22 (without limitation thereto). Head portion 24 at the opposite end of the strap 23 has a slot 25 to receive the strap and enable it to be passed therethrough and tightened about the objects 22.

The finger chute may be formed of plastic or other material-such as metal, coated with a Teflon or other antifriction layer to facilitate movement of the strap thereon. The bracket is provided with marginal channels 26 (FIG. 2) or other means for aligning and guiding the strap in movement into the bracket portion and therethrough under and around the objects, and, that purpose, for spacing the objects from the bottom of the bracket portion.

The finger chute of the invention is adapted to be used as aforesaid, on the users right or left hand, as desired, the chute being so formed as to allow easy entry of the strap and to channel it in encompassing relation to the articles and place the free end thereof in position for fast and easy closure of the strap about the objects.

The bracket portion 20 extends from the finger chute 11 and may, as noted at 30 (FIG. 1), be movably secured thereto, thereby enabling rotation of the bracket portion relative to the ring portion of the chute (dotted lines, FIG. 2) as desired, by the user. The user may apply the chute to either hand as desired, placing the finger chute on the ring finger of the hand that the user would normally favor in use. The chute is placed (FIG. 3) under the objects and the free end 27 of the strap placed in the channeled portion 26 of the bracket 20 and pushed therethrough, moving around articles 22 and the free end 27 of the strap may then be passed through the slot 25 and twisted or otherwise secured to or tied to the head portion 24 of the strap. If desired, the surplus portion of the free end of the strap is then cut and the finger chute may then be moved to the next location.

While the foregoing disclosure of exemplary embodiments is made in accordance with the patent statutes, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby, the inventive scope being defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A finger chute for guiding an elongated bundling strap having at least one free end portion about a plurality of objects to be bundled comprising: a preformed, deformable ring portion adapted to be positioned on a finger of a users hand and deformed in accordance with the contour of such finger; a chute portion coupled to said ring portion for positioning adjacent a plurality of objects to be bundled; said chute portion having a fiat region for directing a bundling strap along a first portion of said objects to be bundled and a generally C-shaped region for directing a bundling strap around second and third portions of said objects to be bundled; and rib means on said chute portion; said rib means forming a channel for receiving an elongated bundling strap therein and preventing movement of said strap in directions transverse to said chute portion; said rib means being formed to provide a wider channel at the free end of said chute portion to facilitate the introduction and positioning of said strap in said channel.

2. A finger chute as defined in claim 1, wherein said coupling of said ring and chute portions is flexible permitting the repositioning of said chute portion with respect to said ring portion.

3. A finger chute as defined in claim 2 wherein said chute portion is coated with an antifriction material to facilitate movement of an elongated strap along said channel of said chute portion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,163,866 12/1915 Sexton 294-25 X 1,462,714 7/1923 Marchand 22428 1,976,653 10/1934 Brueck 22428 2,183,976 12/1939 Smith 294- 54 10 2,543,283 2/1951 Frank 29425 X ROBERT G. SHERIDAN, Primary Examiner.

G. F. ABRAHAM, Assistant Examiner. 

